Qatar’s commitment to cultural excellence extends to a range of impressive public art installations around the country featuring thought provoking works by leading international artists.
Things to do
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Things to do
Qatar’s commitment to cultural excellence extends to a range of impressive public art installations around the country featuring thought provoking works by leading international artists.
JEDARIART is a collection of public murals by various artists across Doha. The murals allow artists to tell their stories on walls across the city – and can be found in the old Fire Station, Al-Abraj Park, Al-Asmakh area, Doha Festival City Interchange, Alkhor Interchange, Post Office Park, 5/6 Park, 5/6 Flyover, Qatar National Library Metro Station and the Woqod Petrol Station in Fereej Kulaib. The murals range from abstract, to surrealist to both traditional and modern calligraphy, while embracing different messages that reflect Qatar's history, culture and future.
Nestled between limestone rock formations outside Zekreet, just north of Doha, lies Richard Serra’s East-West/West-East installation. Comprising of four steel plates, each of which is over 14m in height, the installation spans over 1km. It stands in stark contrast to the soft brown hues of the desert surrounding it, and offers a comment on isolation and the passage of time.
An off-road 4x4 vehicle is recommended when visiting the installation
One of several impressive sculptures at the Hamad International Airport, the Lamp Bear by Urs Fischer is centrally located in the duty-free area. The plush 23-foot yellow teddy bear sculpted from bronze sits under a lamp. Both humorous and comforting, the piece reminds travellers of childhood or precious objects from home.
Nearest metro station: Hamad International airport - T1 terminal
Hamad International Airport, Departure Level
https://dohahamadairport.com/untitled-lamp-bear-swiss-artist-urs-fischer
A giant spider made of marble, bronze, and stainless steel, Maman by Louise Bourgeois explores the meaning of motherhood and strength, and can be found inside the Qatar National Convention Centre.
*Please note: Maman is not open to the public until 2023.
Nearest metro station: Qatar National Library
Centrally located in Katara Cultural Village, Gandhi’s Three Monkeys by Subodh Gupta features three head shaped sculptures in military gear: one wears a gas mask, another a soldier’s helmet, and the third a terrorist’s hood. Each piece is made of cooking implements, used pails, traditional Indian lunch boxes and glass bowls. Together, the Three Monkeys recall Gandhi’s metaphor of the three monkeys that ‘see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil’.
Nearest metro station: Katara
Soaring nearly 80-feet above the MIA Park, 7 at the Museum of Islamic Art Park, by Richard Serra, is a steel homage to the spiritual significance of the number seven in the Islamic culture.
Cosmos by Othoniel is an artistic interpretation of the world’s oldest surviving Islamic astrolabe. Symbolising the path of travellers, the gilded steel installation also emulates warmth and sunlight, and is one of several impressive sculptures at the Hamad International Airport.
HIA is easily accessible by car
Hamad International Airport Metro Station on the Red line.
Hamd International Airport, North Node, near concourses D and E
8 Oryxes at the Hamad International Airport’s arrivals hall depict the Arabian Oryx, Qatar’s national animal in a herd. The installation, by Tom Claasen, is humorous and telling – a statement about the era of mass travel.
To arrive at the airport access the metro heading to the Hamad International Airport on the red line and find the attraction located at Terminal 1.
Hamad International Airport, Arrivals Meet and Greet Hall, towards the taxi pavilion in the East
Perceval, a bronze of a life-size shire horse by Sara Lucas, can be seen in Aspire Park. A cart with giant marrows cast in cement is hitched to Perceval, contrasting with the painted bronze of the horse itself. This is the artist’s only known piece of public art and is a homage to British culture.
Aspire Zone is easily accessible by car.
Aspire Park Metro Station on the Gold line
Aspire Park Running Trail
The Miraculous Journey at Sidra Medical and Research Centre comprises of 14 monumental bronze sculptures illustrating the development of a foetus. Damien Hirst’s installation attests to the beauty of an extraordinary process.
The Miraculous Journey is accessible via car or taxi (Uber is widely used, alternatively Karwa).
Nearest metro station: Qatar National Library
Sidra Medical Centre, Al Rayyan
https://qm.org.qa/en/visit/public-art/damien-hirst-the-miraculous-journey/
A series of bronze sculptures depicting larger-than-life hands reaching for the sky, The Challenge 2015 by Ahmed El Bahrani, can be seen at the Lusail Multi-Purpose Hall.
Lusail Multipurpose Hall is easily accessible by car
Lusail Metro Station on the Red line
The Force of Nature II at the Katara Amphitheatre is a large bronze sculpture by Lorenzo Quinn depicting Mother Nature as a woman hurling the planet in circles.
Katara Cultural Village is easily accessible by car.
Katara Metro Station on the Red line
Katara Cultural Village, Amphitheatre
https://www.lorenzoquinn.com/portfolio-items/the-force-of-nature-2-qatar/
Smoke by Tony Smith, sits at the entrance to the Doha Exhibition & Convention Centre (DECC). Open and inviting, profound yet serene, the giant geometric components of this 24 foot tall sculpture dominate the space.
Smoke is accessible via car or taxi (Uber is widely used, alternatively Karwa).
The nearest metro station is DECC.
Doha Exhibition & Convention Centre (DECC) in West Bay
Located outside the arrivals hall at the Hamad International Airport, the Desert Horse by Ali Hassan Al-Jaber captures the spirit of travel and the flow of movement, in a nod to the Bedouin use of horses for travel. The artwork offers an interpretation of the iconic desert horse and represents different forms of the Arabic letter “ن” (“n”).
Hamad International airport via T1 line.
Hamad International Airport, arrivals meet and greet hall, gate number 3.
Pouce by César Baldaccini is a giant thumb marking a crossroads in Souq Waqif. Its highly polished bronze patina reflects the surrounding light, and is a cheeky addition to the traditional marketplace.
Souq Waqif is easily accessible by car.
Souq Waqif Metro Station on the Gold line
Designed by Dia al-Azzawi, the Flying Man at Hamad International Airport consists of two sculptures commemorating flight. Both are inspired by Bin Firnas or Armen Firman, an early experimentor with flight whose derring-do included leaping from the Great Mosque in Cordoba in 852 AD to test his new machine made of a silk cloak reinforced with wooden rods to form wings.
HIA is easily accessible by car
Hamad International Airport Metro Station on the Red Line
Hamad International Airport, Arrivals Meet and Greet Hall, on the East and West ends
https://dohahamadairport.com/relax/art-exhibitions/flying-man-dia-al-azzawi
This whimsical carousel by Dia al-Azzawi features 40 seats shaped like animals and inspired by the Museums of Islamic Art’s permanent collection.
Enchanted East is located at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Park and is easily accessible by car.
The Museum of Islamic Art can be reached by either the National Museum Metro Station or Souq Waqif Metro Station, both on the Gold line.
Things to do
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